German Grand Prix dressage rider Jurgen Wirths says farewell to competitions. The 48-year-old former German Male Dressage Champion is a leading director of women's hygiene pad company in Berlin and rode in his leisure time.
He was very successful with the auction horse Souveran W (Hanoverian, by Salut) which he purchased in Verden for 50,000 DM.
In the World Cup finals of Goteburg (1998) and Dortmund (1999) he finished fourth. Wirths was able to score constantly in the 70% but nevertheless he was never nominated for the German team for a World, European or Olympic championship. Trained by Siegfried Peilicke, Wirths became an A-frame member in 1998, but after a dispute with "Bimbo" Peilicke and a disagreement with Simons-De Ridder, who took in Wirths place in the A-frame, Wirths' achievements became less outspoken.
Also, Souveran is turning 16 in 2001 and Wirths has no reserve Grand Prix horse at his disposal. Ferrano W, a Prix St Georges mount, will be ridden by his daughter, and Attachi W is not yet ready. Wirths, who lives in Sankt Johann and for whom time is money, has been there and done it, and says no more.
Image copyrighted: Arnd Bronkhorst